What's the next step?

1989 Dodge Ram Cummins--what mods next?

Posted April 21 2008 11:58 AM by Jason Sands
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Diesel Enthusiast Culture

Ok so if there is one thing that all of our readers love, it's telling us what we "should" do. So, this is your chance; we're giving you the option to tell us what we should do next on Project "Rust Bucket." Oh and even if we don't pick your idea, that doesn't mean that it's not cool or that other people shouldn't try it. We especially liked the guy who told us to put a water to air intercooler in it.

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So what should come next? Compressor upgrade for the turbo? A different turbo? A Powerstroke intercooler swap (involves lots of cutting and hacking) ? Water injection to keep EGTs down? Paint? A positraction rearend? Slicks (for the dragstrip)? Test our darn nitrous system already? Keep in mind we'd love to put twins on the truck and an overdrive transmission in, but this is supposed to be a budget deal, meaning anyone with a few thousand extra dollars could duplicate it. So the $30,000 1300hp pulling motor will probably have to wait. Ideas/Suggestions? Post 'em here!!

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Reader Comments:

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16. OK, so you wanna do this on the cheap. No posi or overdrive? Don't know what gearing you have, but I'm thinking 3.73's are a good compromise between performance and mileage, and if you have the cover off, weld-up the spider-gears for a "lincoln locker" spool. Not exactly street friendly, but the price is right. If you're still spinning your tires after that, then it shouldn't be too hard to find a half-gone set of cheater-slicks or drag radials on ebay because someone's wanting to switch to a full slick..

Then order up a BHAF (big honkin' air filter) and make a home-made CAI using PVC pipe from your local DIY emporium.

As far as exhaust goes, though you don't see too many of them any more, a single stack through the bed is pretty straight forward and shouldn't cost that much, or you just run it straight back and dump it at the rear axle for ultimate savings.

An intercooler would be cool, but even used ones can go for a lot of money and fitting them can be a chore. Either get a water/meth kit,

Dieseldude03 - Posted May 5 2008 10:25 AM

17. Or since you already have a nitrous kit on board, you could set up several smaller nozzles between the turbo and intake manifold that would give a cooling effect, though how much I couldn't guess.

As far as a turbo upgrade? There are a lot of guys out there who have the stock turbos from their trucks sitting around on the shelf taking up space after doing their own turbo upgrade "like the stocker off my '03". I don't know what the specs are on Rust Bucket's charger, but I'm sure someone has something sitting around that would work.

And lastly, how about a nice, flat-black, rattle-can paint job? Hey, you said you wanted to stay within budget, didn't ya?

Excellent project. Excellent mag. Keep it up!

Dieseldude03 - Posted May 5 2008 10:37 AM

18. Intercooler is very possible - for those wondering. In fact, Banks used to make their "techi-cooler" kit for this old girl, and you can still find old stock if you look hard enough.

I currently have a 1990 CTD and i've done guagues, pump, pin, exhaust, turbo housing, tranny, etc.; so for me it was like a dream come true when I saw DP take on this project.

I'd like to see the rear-end on rustbucket get some love... she needs it.

coaltrain - Posted May 13 2008 11:28 AM

19. trading those drums in the rear for disk brakes would be a real treat too.

coaltrain - Posted May 13 2008 11:46 AM

20. i think you need to do a compressor upgrade first then do a intercooler. your gettin quit a bit of power so do more airflow first then go to cooler air flow second.

mprmn08 - Posted May 27 2008 02:59 PM

21. lets see a locker an intercooler and get some 1/4 mile times not est. 1/8ths

moparbubba - Posted June 12 2008 01:16 PM

22. You should add the replacement intercoolers they have for these dodges. Look for a holset turbo off of a larger cummins engene

Cumminspower360. - Posted August 17 2008 09:37 AM

23. seems to me an intercooler of just about any brand designed to flow the volume air required could be installed in place of the manifold tube in the form of a shaker hood scoop. The hood should accomidate a large scoop without being ugly.
I have 89 le 250 with 83k , no dents , original paint , spotless interior , factory set stock motor. I soon will turn up the pump and more.

cummincents - Posted August 24 2008 07:18 PM

24. I don't think water to air cooler is a bad idea. They are cheap and easy to install vs replacing rad support or tring the reinvent the wheel tring to get a cac to fit. I will find out how well it works and post the results along with pics.

nighttrain06tc88 - Posted June 14 2009 09:49 AM

25. What caused the nitrous backfire on rust bucket? I am planning to install nitrous so I can avoid problems.
Thanks

jboat - Posted October 31 2010 08:55 PM

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